When the temperatures and wind chills contribute to extremely cold winter weather, pets who spend most of their time outdoors often face harmful and dangerous conditions.

Ionia County Animal Shelter Manager Robin Anderson said shelter is one of the most necessary items when cold weather strikes. She said areas need to have clean, dry straw to help keep the animal warm. Towels or blankets might seem to be a better idea, but Anderson said the fabric can become wet and freeze, doing more harm.

"Straw is a main factor to keep the animal warm because it's an insulator," said Anderson.

In addition, pets should always have access to fresh water, and pet owners should make sure any water placed outside is not frozen. To help counter freezing, Anderson said heated water bowls are available.

"If they don't have access to water, they can come dehydrated very quickly. If you don't have a heated water bowl, owners need to check every few hours to make sure water isn't frozen. It doesn't take long for water to freeze in these temperatures," she added.

In terms of food, Sterner Veterinary Clinic Dr. Julie Estell said animals who are outside need additional caloric intake to keep them healthy and sustain an acceptable body temperature.

Frostbite is another consequence of the cold, which can affect animals in more severe ways depending on breed, coat and how long the pet has been kept outdoors. Many dogs should not be outside for longer periods, especially if they are indoor pets.

"You don't want them walking around for too long because they can get frostbite just like us," Anderson said.

She suggests placing a sweater or coat on a smaller animal or a pet with short hair if they are going outside, and that time should be on the shorter side to avoid frostbite on their paws.

In addition, Anderson said pet owners should try to avoid having their animals on salted paths, which can be painful if the paw is cracked and dry. Salt can also be harmful if ingested.

Estell said a dog that is used to being outside and has adjusted to falling temperatures should be OK with the proper shelter. However, animals that are not used to the conditions or do not have the proper shelter can sustain nerve damage. She said worst case scenarios mean amputation, but pet owners can try to warm the animal slowly in a warm bath to increase the body's core temperature.

"You want to do it very, very slowly. If you go overboard, you're going to send their system into shock," Estell said.

Typically, she added, the warmth will naturally return.

Anderson said if temperatures are so severe pet owners bring outdoor pets inside, beds should be off ground surfaces which can retain the cold.

Page 2 of 2 - She added residents who see strays can bring them to the animal shelter, but she said live traps should not be used during the winter season.

Another way to keep outdoor cats safe is to make sure they are out of dangerous situations that may be preventable. Anderson said stray or outdoor cats may try to hide up near the engine of a vehicle to stay warm, so citizens can sound the horn or make noise on the hood of the vehicle to startle the animal before turning on the engine.

For more tips, call the Ionia County Animal Shelter at 616-527-9040 or Sterner Veterinary Clinic at 616-527-3320.